It's been a bit of a roller coaster around here lately.  The beginning of the week was good in that my niece was visiting from Colorado.  We spent a long weekend together visiting a few of the theme parks, going out to eat and "catching up".  It was wonderful to see her again.  Mid-week I had a job interview.  I won't know if I got the job until the end of next week, but I'm hopeful.  On Thursday, things went down hill.  One of our dogs, Luna, got very sick as a result of a recent vaccination and passed away on Friday morning.  We are very, very sad and we miss her a lot.  It's hard to concentrate when her absence is so noticeable.  I don't feel like stamping much these days.  I'm going to take the next few days to "regroup" and hope to be back in the swing of things again soon.

We miss you, Luna!

Mary Ann

I have a thick folder of templates, patterns and other 3-D items that I always have good intentions of creating.  The other day I came across this pattern I had filed away nearly 6 months ago for a Ghirardelli chocolate box.  It's originator is Jen over at iheart2stamp. Jen is super talented and has great projects and tutorials.  The template for this box is posted on her blog. 

I made the Halloween box first thinking how cute this would be for some of the neighborhood kids.  While these are small boxes, they are big enough to fit several pieces of candy.  If you are giving these to "big kids" and want to add the Ghirardelli chocolates they were intended for, they fit 5 pieces.  The box is 3.25" long, 2.25" tall and 2.25" deep.  Plenty of room for any goblin's favorite treat.  I used Stampin' Up!'s Ghostly Greetings designer paper to cover the box and for accents used silver brads along the edge of the lid.  I can't say I have ever used 14 brads on one project before, but once I started with them, I really needed to continue.  To make a lot of these might be a bit costly, but I do like how it turned out.  For a final touch, I added Tangerine Tango ribbon.

The other box is more feminine.  I made this for Breast Cancer Awareness month and will give it to my friend who is currently under-going treatment.  I have a small gift that fits perfectly inside. It uses the Bella Rose designer paper and Pink Pirouette card stock.  Black card stock was used for accent.

That's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

Mary Ann

I haven't tried a color challenge in ages and was intrigued with this weeks color combination on Splitcoast.  The colors are: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust and Baja Breeze.  I'll admit this wasn't an easy one for my brain to process because these are colors I would have never put together, but I was determined to create something and this is the result.  Just for the record, I realize that daffodils aren't blue, but what the heck.  

The designer paper used on this is Juntos which can be found in the Stampin' Up Spanish supplement.  All of the papers in the Juntos pack are beautiful - great earthly tones.  Using my Aquapainter and reinkers, I colored the flowers from the set Always In My Thoughts on watercolor paper.  What didn't show up in the picture very well is the Stitched background stamp on the Chocolate Chip card base.  Bummer!  The design of this background stamp is very similar to that on the designer paper.  Here I was thinking how clever I was for matching that up and now it can't even be seen the photo!  Go figure.  Anyway, to finish the card off, I added 1" double-stitched chocolate grosgrain ribbon and a few clear rhinestones for some interest.

Off to get some work done.  Have a great Friday.

Mary Ann

That's an odd title to a post isn't it?  Let's just say it's been an equally odd day.  I'll tell you about it, but first things first. 

I came across the cutest mini magazine holders the other day on a fellow demonstrator's blog (www.inkingidaho.blogspot.com ).  They fit 3x3 cards and envelopes and are perfect for a hostess gift.  I decided to make a set of 3x3's for my niece to celebrate her new sorority.  These aren't the colors of the sorority but I was itchin' to use my new Stampin' Up! Banbury designer paper!  I love the new paper and because pink is my favorite color I was drawn to it.  Is this stinkin' cute, or what?  The template is very easy to follow and a snap to put together.  I just love when my fellow demonstrators make such cute things that I can copy and share.  Thanks, Becky! 

I made a coordinating ensemble with the note cards, envelopes and holder all having some of the Banbury paper on it.  I also used the new scallop edged punch to create some interest on the note cards.  And, for a little bling, I added one of the new Filigree brads on the front.  The sorority letters are ambossed with silver embossing powder.

So, what to you think of that Alpha Sigma Tau stamp on the holder and note cards?  I had it made by a local stamp company that does custom work.  It's not the way I ordered it, but the shop owner must have thought her way was better (it's a long story).  Fortunately or unfortunately for them, I won't be utilizing their services anymore. I  had eight (8) stamps for them to make and they got less than half of them correct.  When I pointed out the numerous errors the shop owner became rude, condescending and for all intents and purposes could have just said, "Tough luck." I came home with less than half my order, fuming mad and completely appalled that this woman had the audacity to speak to me the way she did.  I'm guessing business must be really good for her because she obviously doesn't need me as a customer anymore.  So, Ms. Stamp Shop Owner in downtown Orlando, in the rare chance that you are reading my blog, please don't expect me back.  If you really thought that your condescending demeanor and your "fight to the end" mentality was going to win me over, you were wrong.  Perhaps a class in Customer Service 101 would be in your best interest.

For those of you saying I should have had my custom stamps made by Stampin' Up!, by all means, I would have, but they don't make the specialized stamps I need.  Perhaps that will be my next suggestion in their suggestion box..

Whew, a little venting goes a long way.  Thanks for letting me share. In the meantime, take a gander at Beckys blog and make a few of these fabulous holders.  They Rock!

Mary Ann 

Hi Friends!

Today begins a month-long birthday celebration from Stampin' Up!  SU is turning 20 and as a result is offering 20% off select stamp sets.  To view the complete list, you can click this link.  I will also have the flier on my sidebar this afternoon.

In addition to the birthday promotion, today is also the first day of the Holiday Mini Catalog.  There are awesome stamp sets and accessories to choose from.  View the Holiday Mini catalog here.  A mini catalog link will also be on my sidebar.

And, just to make all this shopping easier for you, you can now buy directly from ME on my Stampin' Up! website!!  Is that nice of me or what?  Simply visit my site at: http://thejoyofstamping.stampinup.net and then click on the "SHOP NOW" button in the upper right corner.  No more waiting for me to input your order - it's now at your finger tips 24 hours a day!

Today's post is short.  I am tending to a very sore mouth after an aggressive dental procedure yesterday.  I'll be back tomorrow!

Mary Ann